Closure and operating means therefor



May 19, 1953- C. A. LONG CLOSURE AND OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR 6 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June 15, 1948 INVENTOR.

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May 19, 1953 c. A. LONG 2,639,144

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' CLOSURE AND OPERATING MEANS THEREFOR Filed June 15, 1948 s Sheets-Sheet a INVENTOR.

Patented May 19, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT "OFFICE Charles A. Long, Titusville, 'la... assignor to 'Struthers .Wells Corporation,"Titusville, Pa., a

corporation o'f'Maryland Application June 15, 1948, Serial.No.-33,080

'8 Claims.

This invention relates to .a closure and. more particularly to a .cover for closing large vessels which=are placed under highzpressure.

This invention has vparticular application to large -vessels used to treat -materia1 under high pressure and temperature conditions,. such as. for vulcanizing. To provide-such vessels withsu'fficient'commercial capacity for the :material -.to be treated or to accommodate material -.of large industrial size, these vessels are ofponderou size and weight. -In accordance with commercial practices :such :a vessel is usually horizontally arrangedonthe-floor of the .plant in which .the vessel is installedand is open at one end so that materials-canbe loaded :and unloaded through this open end by shop trucks .or other suitable apparatusfor handling the material .to be treated within the vessel.

:Aconventional type of swinging door to close the open end of :the vessel, whether hingedat one side i of the vessel to swing .about .a vertical .axis or .hinged at the top or bottom of the vessel to swingabout a horizontalaxis, has'the disadvantageof requiring a .large amount of "floor space to -permit-the-swinging .of the door .on its hinges. Such a door arrangementhas the further disadvantage of limitingaccess to the interior of the vessel with equal facility from .all directions even though thedoor isfullyopenedrsince a door for a .large vessel .of this -.characteris itself a larger-structure and is in the way when arranged immediatelyadiacent the open end of the vessel;

.It is the .principal object .of the invention 'to provide .a door or coverfor oneend of raila'rge vessel and which requires verylittle floor space to permit openingor closing of .thecover.

Another object. istaprovide such a cover which, when open :provides unobstructed access to the.

interior of the vessel throngh the uncovered end thereof.

miotherobject is toprovide such acover which can be quickly opened and closed.

Anotherobject is-toprovidesuch acover which is r opened and closed by .power driven operating mech-anisman'd thus requires no direct :manual eiforttoefifect such'opera-tion. I

An'other object istoprovide such a cover which when "covering the open end of E the vesselvprevents leakage between the-doorand the vessel. I

"A further object is to .provide such a closure which will stand 'up under conditions "of vsevere and constant use without getting out of order or requiring repair-s.

Qther objects and-advantages -wil1 be apparent from the following description and drawings wherein .Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a vesselprovided with a .cover and operating mechanism therefor and embodying one form of the invention, the cover'being shownin'its fully closed .position.

Fig. 12 is afragmentary view similar to Fig. "1 and showing the cover ina partially .openedposition and also showing by broken lines the position, of the cover when fully opened.

Fig. 3 is a left end elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 1. p p

.Fig. 4 isan enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken online -4'4, Fig. 3. I 7

.Figs. 5 and-G are enlarged-fragmentary vertical transverse sections taken on the correspondinglynumbered lines in Fig. '2.

7 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 showin a modified Iformiofthe invention.

7a is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view of the locking pin assembly shownin 7 forlockingthe cover hinge arms against rectilinearmovement when these arms i are being pivoted to raise .or lower the cover, this looking pinassembly being shown in .an inoperative position.

Fig. Eiisafragmentary view similar to and showing the cover in a partially opened position. I

Fig. 9. 1s airagmentary viewsimilar to Figs. '7 and Bandshowing the coverin its fully opened position.

Fig. 9a is an enlarged vfragmentary side elevational'view-of the locking pin assembly shown in Fig. 9 and-also similar to that shown in Fig. 7a but-showing'this locking pin assembly in'an operative position.

porting surface by cradle supports or legs 23, 23.

The open-end of the vessel 20 is shown as being surrounded by an annular collar 24 which pro- .iects axially beyondthe said open en'd,this collar '20 being suitably welded to the body of the ves manner in which the cover 25 is opened. To open the cover 25 from its fully closed position as shown in Fig. l, the cover is first moved rectilinearly away from the open end of the vessel a relatively short distance to the position shown in Fig. 2 and then the cover is swung upwardly to an overhead position as shown by broken lines in Fig. 2. The distance the cover is so moved rectilinearly away from the open end of the vessel 20 is preferably only that sufficient to permit the cover 25 to clear the collar 24 during the lifting of the cover 25 to its fully opened overhead position above the vessel 20.

Power driven operating means to move the cover 25 in this manner are provided. In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1-6, such means are shown as including an arm 26 slidably and pivotally arranged on each side of the vessel 20 and rigidly connected to the cover 25 and actuated by a piston and cylinder mechanism 28. To rigidly connect the cover 25 to the arms 26, the cover 25 is shown as having welded to its exterior a laterally extending arm 29 on each side and near the top of the cover 25, as shown in Fig. 3, and to the outer end of each of these arms 29 is suitably rigidly connected the forward end of the corresponding arm 26.

The forward portion of each arm 26 is sup ported in a substantially horizontal position when the cover 25 is opposite the open end of the vessel 20 by a roller 30. Each of the rollers 30 is shown as being suitably journalled in a bracket 3| welded to the exterior collar 24, so that these rollers 30 rotate about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the cylindrical vessel 20. The lower edge of the forward portion of each of the arms 26 is shown as having a roller pad 32 in the form of a flat plate welded to the arm 26 and adapted to engage the corresponding roller 30. The roller pads 32 are of suflicient longitudinal length to permit the rectilinear travel of the cover 25 axially of the cylindrical vessel 20. To provide proper lateral alinement of the cover 25 with the open end of the vessel 20, the rollers 30 are preferably circumferentially grooved and the roller pads 32 are of a width to fit into these roller grooves. It will thus be seen that the arms 26 are guided in their rectilinear movement by the rollers 30.

To slidably and pivotally support the arms 26 on the vessel 20, each arm 26 is shown as being enlarged at 33 and provided with a slot 34. Arranged within each slot 34 is the outer end of a pin or pintle 35. As shown in Fig. 5, the outer end of each pin or pintle 35 is formed to provide an annular groove 36 in which the enlarged portion 33 of the corresponding arm 25 is arranged and hence the arms 26 are guided in their movement relative to the pintles 35. A cover plate 38 is mounted as by screws 39 on the outer side of each of the arms 26 and covers the slot 34 in the enlarged portion 33 thereof.

A piston and cylinder mechanism 28 is arranged on each side of the vessel 20 to move the corresponding arm 26. As shown, this mechanism includes a cylinder 40 hinged at its rear end as indicated at 4! on a bracket 42 welded to the exterior of the vessel 26 so as to be oscillatable about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the vessel 20. A piston rod 43 is slidably arranged in the front end of the cylinder 40 and has its front end pivotally connected as indicated at 44 to the extremity of a lever arm 45, the axis of the pivot 44 being horizontal and extending transversely of the vessel. This lever arm 45 is shown as being formed integrally with the arm 26 and inclines downwardly and rearwardly from the rear end thereof so that the pivot 44 is below the pintle 35. The inner end of the piston rod 43 is suitably connected to a piston (not shown) which works within the bore of the cylinder 40. A fluid line 46 is suitably connected with the interior of the cylinder 40 on the forward side of the piston therein and a similar fluid line 48 is in communication with the interior of the cylinder 40 on the rear side of the piston therein. Hydraulic fluid introduced and exhausted through the lines 46 and 48 alternately eflect movement of the piston rod 43 relative to the cylinder 40. It will thus be seen that the piston and cylinder mechanism 28 is of the double acting type.

Referring to Fig. 1, it will be noted that the longitudinal axis of the piston and cylinder mechanism 28 is substantially horizontal and parallel with the arm 26 when the cover 2 5 is fully closed.

In this closed position of the cover 25, the pintle 35 is adjacent the front end of the horizontal slot 34. During the initial phase of the opening of the cover 25 this cover is pushed horizontally away from the open end of the vessel 20 by the horizontal rectilinear movement of the arms 26 until the rear ends of the slots 34 therein abut the pintles 35. Up to this point the cover 25 is compelled to move in a horizontal direction since the arms 26 are supported on the pintles 35 and rollers 30, the weight of the cover 25 on the front ends of the arms 26 producing a greater torque in a counterclockwise direction about the axes of the pintles 35 than the torque in a clockwise direction produced by the force applied by the piston rod 43 to the lower ends of the lever arms 45 as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2. However, when the rear ends of the slots 34 in the arms 26 engage the pintles 35 further horizontal movement of the arms 26 is positively prevented whereupon continued forward movement of the piston rods 43 will rotate the arms 26 in a clockwise direction about the axes of the pintles 35 as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2. In this manner the arms 26 are swung to the fully opened position represented by broken lines in Fig. 2 and the cover 25 is thus lifted to an overhead out-o1- the-way position above the vessel 20.

Means are provided to prevent the arms 26 from moving radially relative to the axes of the pintles 35 when these arms are being rotated on the pintles. Such means are shown as including a roller 49 on each of the arms 26 and adapted to engage a stationary cam 50. This cam 50 is preferably in the form of a plate arranged on each side of the vessel 20 between the vessel and the corresponding arm 26 and is shown as being welded to the corresponding stationary pintle 35, as shown in Fig. 5. Any other suitable manner of rigidly supporting the cams 50 on the vessel 20 may be employed. Each cam 50 is formed to provide an upwardly facing curved roller engaging surface 5| which is shown as being concentric with the axis of the corresponding pintle 35. The rollers 49 are pivotally mounted on the inner sides of the arms 26 so as to rotate about a horizontal axis extending transversely of the vessel 26 and are arranged on the arm 26 forward of the slots 34 therein. The exact location of these rollers 48 is such that their grooved peripheries 52 are adapted to engage the curved cam surfaces 5| when the rear ends of the slots 34 in the arms 26 are in abutting engagement with the pintles 35. It will be noted that each cam 50 is cut out or otherwise formed as indicated at 53 to accommodate the corresponding roller 48 "when this roller is in its #most rearward position when the cover-25' isf'ully closedxas'shown in :Fig. 1. am :outwardly 'extendin'g stop 54 is bolted 'or ;otherwise suitably secured to each cam :50 and adapted to engage the corresponding .roller 49 when the cover 25 is in its Tull-yopene'd position as shown in"=Fig. 2. This stop is preferablyarranged on the #cam 50 slightly -in rear of :the crest of Fits curved surface '1 so that when the corresponding roller engages this stop the arm 26 inclines slightly rearwardly of vertical and "the disposition-of the cover 25 is such as to urge ithe rollers 49 against the stops 54.

It is preferred t'oloek the cover :25 'intits'iully closed position so as to relieve strain from the cover operating "means and to insure that "the cover 25 willbeheldclosed when the vesseliflz'is placed .under high pressure during treatment ;of the articles within the vessel. For'ithispurpose the rim :of the cover-25h shown as .havingwelded thereto an abutment ring .55 :which .iexten'ds routwardly oftthe coverrim. The tforwardly projecting "part of the collar kZL-onth-e vessel iszcounterbored as indicated at 56 to have a adiameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the abutment ring 55, and :thus .permit the rcover 125 to imove axially'of thewessel 20. .A split locking ring :58 is :arrangeduinrfrontaof :thexabutmen'tring 55 :and :is shown as being rectangular in 'cross section sandradapted to :be partially insertedfiin an annular :lockingagroove 59 .iprovided .in the collar 2:4. This Lloeking ring '58 .is slidingly .arranged against theflatrradial front .face ill of the abutment ring 55 and is held "in this position byca series=of :circumferentially spaced gui-de brackets Bil secured :to the rbody of the :cover .25. Each of the guide -'brac'kets 2.51 is shown :as being in the form of an L-shaped :memberhaving zone tend bearing against .the frontvface :of :theiockingzxring 58 and the other end screwed to a lugfitwelded to the door E25. In:thiszmannertheflocking ring 58 :is guided :between :the brackets ;BI and :abutment ring 55 for radial :movementiintoxand- :out' of the locking-groovei'ifi.

The locking ring :58 is "split .as indicatedrat 563 and it will :beseen-thatrby spreadin thezopposing free ends :of this :ring thesame :canbe expanded radially and by :mOVing .these 'free :ends toward each other the docking wring can be icontracted radially. While any suitablemeanszmaybe employed for expanding and-contracting :the split lockingring 58, the means showniinclude adouble acting I piston and cylinder mechanism: 64 operatively connecting the-endsnof the locking/ring 58. For this purpose -.a forwardly projecting plate :65

is weldedor otherwiserigidly connected .to-each end of the locking ring 58 and thetoutertend of the cylinder of the mechanism .64 .is shown as being suitably pivoted on the upper .plateili and the outer-.endsof the piston rod of .thismechanism issuitably pivoted to the lower platelfiii. Fluid lines .66 and 68 are connected to .oppositesends of this cylinder and provide'fortheadmissionand withdrawal of hydraulic fluid to .and from opposite sides of .the piston (not shown) within this cylinder.

Means are preferablyprovided'to seal thejoint between the cover 25 and the vesselfzill. For-this purpose, the rear outer corner of the abutment ring 55 onthe'cover'2'5 is chamfered as indicated at '69 and "this chamfered surface *69 "opposes in slightly'spaced'relation'when the cover25is fully closed'as shown inF'ig. '4, a beveled surface formed on the "collar 24. The "opposing "surfaces 6B and EU are annular and .:-uninterrupted.'-

collar II is shown as being provided with an annular :recess 1 :rectangular in tcross .csection whichopens-tocthebeveled surface .10. Arranged within this recess TI .is :a flexible gasket 12 of neoprene or other suitable :material, which adoes not extend thezfulhdepth ofxthe recess H leaving a space 13 which ris'in communication with the interior of the vessel '20 tbyone orimore :passageways I'M. Theinnert-end of the gasket Hisprovided with t a deep V-groove J5 whichis so designed thatxtheipressurewithintheannular space 'lfi-orlbase oflthe recess H tends to force 'the sides of the :gasket 12 against the side walls ;of the recess ll and hence prevent the outward leakage ofpressure through the recess "H. To similarly prevent leakagerfrom'the vessel .20 outwardly past the cover 25the projecting end of the gasket 12 is provided withran inwardly directed V-shaped.

'extension which bears-atone side against the chamferedface 69 of the cover Hand is so-"designed that the pressure in the vessel tends 'to' force this V-sshapedvextension against'the cover and hence provide an annular seal between the 'cover and the gasket. It will be appreciated, of course, that the pressure builtupinthespace :18 forces the gasket 12 into firm union with the chamfered face =69 of the :cover 25 ,and also:into firm union with :its own walls. .It will also be noted that the greater the pressure "within the vessel :20 the :more firmly the gasket :12 is urged into sealing engagement with the coveri25fand collar-24.

Inlet pipes for introducing steam :or :other materials underpressure into the vessel .20 to carry out the desired processing "therein are not illustrated in the drawings since they form*no part of the present-invention.

zinventionzshowniin Figs. 1 :through .the cover 25 iisrassumed tobe .inaits ffully closed position, asshown in :Figs. :1 and 4 and with 131181513111; locking ring 5.8 expandediintothe locking groove 59Iinrthe collar .24 of the vessel :20. Before opening the cover-'25 :by moving .the samerelativetothe vessel 20 zthecover :isvunlocked. This iis accomplished by introducing hydraulic fluid into line '68 and exhausting fluid through line 66. the piston:andscylindermechanism 64 tocontract rand to move :the opposing free ends offthesplit lockingringv58 .toward ea'ch other therebyto radially contract this Zlooking ring and to withdraw the:-same;from the lockingsgroove :59.

Thereafter hydraulic r'fluid is introduced into dine -48 and the hydraulic fluid is exhausted throughiline flof each piston cylinder mechanism Z8. 'This moves"the pistons (not shown) within the :cylinders A?! to the'left as viewedin Figs. 1 and? therehytmproject the :piston rods 43 :from their cylinders. fiForwar d movement of the pis tonrods dfii appliesa force against the lever arms which are shownas being integral with the m. Inasmuch-as the pintles 35 are at this time arranged adjaoentthe front ends of the 2 slots 34 provided in the arms 2 6 the arms "26 Slide forwardly on-the pintles flithese "arms being-supported *in this forward horizontal movement "by rolling on 'the rollers Jill. The forward horizontalmovement-of the "arms'lfi pushes the cover 2v5 .away from 'the open end i of the vessel 20 until the rear eniis of-th'e slots 34 abut 'againsttlie pintles 35. lt will also'henoted that during this-forward movement of 'the arms -21; "the rollers "49 carried therebyaremoved 'outo'ftherecesses 53 provided in the stationary cams 50-. Upon engagements! This causes 7 the rear ends of the slots 34 with the pintles 35, the forward horizontal movement of the arms 26 is stopped. With continued application of a force to the lever arms 45 by the forwardly moving piston rods 43, these arms 26 rotate about the axes of the pintles 35 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2. As the arms 26 are turned about the pintles 35, the rollers 49 engage the curved cam surfaces on the stationary cams 50 and these rollers in engagement with the cams 50 prevent dropping of the arms while the cover is bein lifted. The admission of hydraulic fluid through line 48 and the exhausting of hydraulic fluid through line 46 is continued until the rollers 49 roll against the stops 54, at which time further admission and withdrawal of hydraulic fluid through lines 48 and 46, respectively, can be terminated. It will be seen that swinging or rotating the arms 26 about the pintles in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2 lifts the cover 25 from its forwardly projected position upwardly over the front end of the vessel 20 to an overhead out of the way position shown by broken lines in Fig. 2.

To close the cover 25 the cover operating mechanism is actuated in a reverse direction. Thus hydraulic fiuid is introduced through lines 46 and exhausted through lines 48, this causing the piston rods 43 to withdraw within their cylinders 40. The lever arm 45 on each side of the vessel is pulled rearwardly thereof and thus rotates its arm 26 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, until the lower pad 32 on the bottom of the arm 26 comes to rest on the roller 30. During the lowering of the arms 26 the rollers 49 roll on the curved cam surfaces 5! and prevent radial displacement of the arms 26 with respect to the pintles 35. When the arms 26 have been so returned to their original horizontal position the rollers 49 have left the curved cam Surfaces 5| and the cover 25 is again in a forwardly spaced position opposite the front or open end of the vessel 20. Continued rearward movement of the piston rods 43 pulls the arms 26 rearwardly causing them to slide on the pintles 35 and their pads 32 to roll along the rollers 30. Movement of the piston rods 43 is terminated when the cover 25 has been moved to a position where the contracted locking ring 58 carried by the cover is opposite the locking groove 53 in the collar 24 on the vessel. To look the cover in its fully closed position, hydraulic fluid is introduced into the piston and cylinder mechanism 64 through line 66 and fluid is exhausted from this mechanism through line 68. This causes the piston and cylinder mechanism 5 to extend its effective length and thereby spreads the free ends of the split locking ring 58. Spreading of this locking ring 58 causes the same to expand radially into locking engagement with the locking groove 59 in the collar 24.

When the cover 25 is fully closed and locked in this position the vessel 20 can be placed under pressure to carry out the desired process within the vessel and the pressure built within the vessel operates to seal the joint between the door 25 and the vessel 20. Referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that pressure admitted through the passageway I4 into the annular space 13 at the base of the recess II will force the gasket 12 against the chamfered face 59 on the abutment ring 55 on the cover 25, this pressure tending to force the gasket 12 against the side walls of the recess H. At the same time, the pressure within the vessel 20 forces the V-shaped extension 16 against the chamfered face 69 to prevent leakage outwardly between the abutment ring 55 and the gasket 12. When this pressure is relieved, the gasket 12 relieves its pressure against the side walls of the recess H and also against the chamfered face 69.

A modified form of the invention is shown in Figs. 7-11. Essentially the vessel 20a and cover 25a in this modified form of the invention are similar to the vessel 20 and cover 25 in the Preferred form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-6, the modification being in the cover operating mechanism to open and close the cover 25a. Accordingly, as much as practicable, parts illustrated in Figs. 7-11 which are identical or similar to corresponding parts illustrated in Figs. 1-6 are identified by the same reference numerals except as distinguished by the suffix a.

Thus, the elongated cylindrical vessel 20a, open at one end and closed at its opposite end, is supported in a substantially horizontal position on cradle supports or legs 23a and is provided with a collar 24a. The cover 25a is adapted to close and uncover the open end of the vessel 20a and is also adapted to be locked in a closed position to the vessel Me by a locking means similar to that shown in Figs. l-6. Such door locking means comprises an abutment ring 55a, split locking ring 58a, guide brackets 61a, plates 65a secured to the ends of the split locking ring 58a, and a double acting piston and cylinder mechanism 64a pivotally connected at its opposite ends to the outer parts of the plates 65a and including fluid lines 66a and 68a. The collar 24a is formed to provide the corresponding cooperating surfaces and is also provided with the corresponding sealing means shown in Figs. 1-6. The door locking and sealing means in the form of the invention shown in Figs. 7-11 function in similar manner to the corresponding means shown in Figs. 1-6 and hence a detailed illustration of these means is not repeated.

As with the form of the invention described in connection with Figs. 1-6, the cover 25a is mounted on the vessel 20a for translational movement generally axially of the opening in the open end of this vessel and also for movement in an arouate path to and from a fully opened position above the vessel. For this purpose, a pair of hinge arms 80, one arranged on each side of the vessel 20a, are suitably rigidly connected at their forward ends to laterally extending arms 29a, 29a welded to the cover 25a. Each of the hinge arms 80 is shown as being in the form of a fiat bar rectangular in cross section and arranged with its major slightly below the center of the cover 25a and vessel 20a whereas the arms 26 shown in Figs. l-6 are shown as horizontally arranged slightly above the center of the cover 25 and vessel 20. To support the front end of each hinge arm 80 for translational movement a roller 30a is mounted on each side of the collar 24a below the corresponding hinge arm 80 and the roller 30a is adapted to have a rolling engagement with a roller pad 32a welded to the bottom narrow edge of the corresponding hinge arm 80. Each roller 30a is shown as suitably journalled in a bracket Sla suitably connected to the collar 24a for rotation about an axis extending transversely of the axis of the vessel 20a. To guide the hinged arms 80 in their horizontal translational movement the 9 peripheries: of the rollers 3.0m. are; grooved. to i receive the-roller pads 32a.

The-rear end of each hinge arm.8il.-is .connected to a bell cranklever 82" pi-votally mounted-intermediate its ends on. the vessel 2011 so: to. be rotatable about a horizontal axis extendi11g;transversely of the vessel Zfla and remote: from the openend of this-vessel. Each bellcranh lever 82 is shown. as including two spaced parallel-vertical plates, each of which is formed to provide a lower arm 83- an'ctan. upper arm.- JL. lower arms 83 of each bell crank leven 32- extend. generally vertically downwardly whenthehinge-arms 80 are: in their horizontal positions; and.- the upper arms 84 extend vertically upwardly slightly forwardly from their juncture with the lower arms 83.

Referring'to Fig; 11, each bell crank lever: 8'2 is pivotally mounted on the outer end of apivot pin 85 which: extends laterally outwardly from. the

vessel. 2M. Themount: this pivot. pin 85 on-the bearing ring 8.9,. and. the inner end. of. the: sleeve bushing. 88. The spacedplatesoi eachbellcramc lever 82 intermediate-.itsends are provided with concentric holes. and atubular hub member 92 isz interposed. between. these plates and welded thereto. The bell crank lever 821s arranged between the endbearing rings d9, QOPandheldthereby against movement axially of thepivotpin; 85. A removable cap. is. shown. onthe. outer end; of the pivot. pin 85. In this manner each. bellcrank lever 82 is. mounted on. its companion pivot. pin 85' for rotative movement. relative. thereto.

The free ends ofthe, companion lower arms.8.3

' of'each bell crank lever 82 are pivotally' connected to the rear end of" the corresponding hinge. arm 80. To this end, as. shown in Fig. I1, these lower arms 83' are arranged on opposite sides of the hinge arm 81] and a pivot pin .93 is suitabl y'arranged in registered holes provided in the lower arms-B3 and hinge arm 80. Washersj94 are preferablyarranged on the pivot pin" intermediate the hinge arm-80*and'each lowerarm83 to'maintain a slight spacing between these members: The-free ends of-the=companion-upperarms 84 of eachbell crank'lever fl2 arepivotall'y connected to a double acting piston and cylinder mechanism 28a, which is simii'ar to the correspond ing mechanism 28 in the form of the invention shown in: Figs. 1-6.. Thus, thismechanism: 28a comprises: apiston rod 43d, cylinderlfla; flu-id lines 4611' anddwa, the near. endof thecylin'der 40w being hinged. at Add. to; a. bracket. 42a fixed to the sidei-of the-vessel. 2 w;

Referring t'o' Fig. 1 1, the.

free-send. of the pistonirodlfiai carries an enlarged head 95 provided with: a. hole in. which; a; bearing sleeve-96. is.arranged;. Thebaseof this hearing the cylinder 4.0a, the corresponding. bell crank lever 82- is pivotally moved aboutthe axis-of the pivotpin 85...

V When the cover isiully clcsed the. hinge.

. and. aft of these. pins.

1%0 me an. area-in their rearmost horizontal position and the axis of-the' pivot 93-iszslightlw in rear of! the: HIXiSEOf; thepivot. pin 85;;nas shown imFig. 7i Whenth'ecover 2511 has. beenimoved axially away. fromthe open end. of the vessel; 201: due to; the; forward. translational. movement of. the hinge; arms: 80." and! immediately prior; to. pivotal movement: of the. hingearms- 81!! whereby the cover. 25w is; raised" to;- an overhead. position, .the axis. of therpiuot. pin 93% is slightly forward of the axis. at the:- pivot; pin. 85,, as shown in Fig.. 8. It. willl thus. be.- seen. that pivot. pin. 93-z-swings through a substantially horizontalla'rc. about the pivot. pin 85 and: thereby. moves: the rear: end of the. hinge. arm: 86: in a substantially horizontal direction. While the pivot pin 9'3 and? the rear enclof: the: hinge. arm' do: move: upwardly and downwardly slightly:- in: traveling. through this arm, a: true-horizontal position: of the hinge am 81!- can be maintained by forming; the bottom working; face: of: the-corresponding. roller pad 32-2: toi-b'e arcuately concave. The: chord; of. this; arcuatee concavity of; the roller pad. 32w is;v equal t0! the. length of horizontal: travel.- of: the pivot pin. 93: and the radius; of. this arcuatez surface: is equal to: the. radial distance:betweenv the: axes; of the pivotapins'. 9.3 and; 85. In. this. manner: the hinge arms: 8.0; can be: maintained: horizontal while being translated; axially off the vesseL- 2M. Thewerw slight.verticalsmovementlthat' doesctake place during; horizontal movement of. the hinge arms; 80-; is: permitted by the cover 25m andcol- At the end. or"? the; iorward: horizontal. movement; of. the-hinge; arms-80, these arms. are caused tDfiPi-VOjT. upwaedly about: the .axesmf the'spivot pins 815. Eon this. purpose: av hinge block 991 ispivotall'y; mounted; on each" pivot. 85. and arranged above the correspondingchinge arm 8.0:and adapt.- edi to; operatively engage the. samez. shown; in Fig; 1:1 the hingeiblock: 9a, is arrangech between 'filmcedz plates forming; the bell: crank levenlz and. is bored topivotally fit 011113118. hub: member 52;, washers; HID .being; arranged on'thisahubimember slonleachsideof the; hinge block; Sate-maintain the hinge block in spaced relation; to. the plates of the bell crank lever- 8-2.: The: hinge block Qfiis formed with'a flat-bottomsurface: m adapted-toengagqe a flat upper surface I 025 formed on:- the; enlarged: rearpart. 811- of" the companion hinge. arm: 80; These surfaces 1.1- and M12; are arranged. between the: axes. of the pivot. pinsv Q3 and: $5; and extend asubstantial: distance fore These surfaces; HH: and 4.02 are. in abutting: contaottwith. eachuother when the hinge: arms: 8.0.- are: about. tobe: pivoted: upwardlyto lift the cover; 2511; as; shown Fig; 8, and are also: in; abutting contact when the hinge arms) an are: in;- theirrearward; horizontal; position withgthe cover zfia fully'closed; asshowndniFig: 7. However,, these. surf aces. .Izfll andz I202: are not. always: in contact since the-:surface I102; separates slightly from the surface I01 when; the hlnge arm 80 iatranslatedthrough: its; arcuatespathl in movingifromthe positionshown; inEig. 7' to thermaltiUHShQWIlilIl Fig. 8' andlviceversal. Referringito Fig; 8;. with" the surfaces: I01; and? I02" in. abutting; engagement: with each other furthen'mtation of; thebellcrank lever 82.ini a clockwise.=direction about the? axis of the: pivot. pin '85,, as viewed. in Fig.. 8, willurge these surfaces; It and L02. further. toward each other.. Sincethe hinge block. 99 and. companion hinge arm R0; are; rigid members and. thereacan be: no inrther relative movement between. thehinge, arm 8.0 and thehell hinge block 99.

crank lever 82, further clockwise rotation of this lever will pivot the hinge arm 80 about the axis of the pivot pin 85. It will thus be seen that the hinge block 99 serves to lock the hinge arm 80 to the bell crank lever 82 by preventing further relative movement between the hinge arm and bell crank lever about the axis of the pivot pin 93 such as takes place when the hinge arm 80 moves between the positions shown in Figs. 7 and 8. In this manner the hinge arms 80 can be swung upwardly to a substantially vertical position whereby the cover 25a is raised to an overhead position as shown in Fig. 9.

To insure that the hinge arms 90 are held operatively locked to their bell crank levers 82 during pivotal movement of the hinge arms 00, means are provided to prevent relative shifting between the abutting surfaces IOI and I02. To this end the hinge block 99 on each side of the vessel 20a. carries a locking pin I03 adapted to be received by a recess I04 provided in the companion hinge arm 80. The hinge pin I03 is shown as being slidingly arranged in a bore I05 for movement perpendicularly to the bottom surface IOI of the A linkage assembly is associated with each locking pin I03 for actuating the same, such linkage being shown as comprising a trip arm I06, a lever I08 and a connecting link I09. Referring to Fig. 7a, the trip arm I06 extends generally horizontally across the vertical locking pin I03 and is shown as integrally formed with a downwardly extending leg IIO, the lower end of which is pivoted at III to a bracket II2 welded or otherwise suitably secured to the hinge block 99. ranged and its front end has a pin and slot connection with the upper end of the locking pin I03 as indicated at I I3, the rear end of this lever I08 being pivoted at I I4 on theb racket III. The

pivot I I4 is located in rear of and above the pivot 4 III. In the position shown in Fig. 7a, the connecting link I09 extends upwardly and rearwardly and has its lower end pivotally connected at II5 to the lever I08 and has its upper end pivotally connected at II6 to the leg IIO of the trip arm I06.

With this linkage arranged as shown in Fig. 7a, it will be seen that by depressing the free end of the trip arm I06, the leg IIO thereof will be caused to rotate in a counterclockwise direction thereby moving the pivot I I 6 in an arcuate path, and since the distance between the pivots I I6 and H5 as well as between the pivots H5 and II4 is fixed the link I09 pushes the lever I08 downwardly so as to rotate this lever I08 in a counterclockwise direction about the flxed pivot I I4. In this manner the locking pin I03 is moved downwardly in its bore I05, the pin and slot connection II3 permittin of the arcuate movement of the free end of the lever I08.

Movement of the trip arm I06 in a reverse direction causes the linkage to operate in reverse and thereby raise the locking pin I03.

It will be noted that the locking pin recess I04 in the hinge arm 80 is so arranged that it is opposite the end of the locking pin I03 when the hinge arm 80 is at the end of its forward horizontal movement and about to be pivoted upwardly about the axis of the pivot pin 85, such position being shown in Fig. 8.

The trip arm I 06 is actuated as the hinge arm 80 is pivoted upwardly so as to move the locking pin I03 into the recess I04 and also to withdraw --the locking pin I03 from the recess I04 as the hinge arm 80 completes its downward pivotal The lever I08 is generally horizontally ar- I movement. For this purpose, the free or forward end of the trip arm I06 is shown as being formed to provide a forwardly projecting nose part I I8 and a downwardly and forwardly curved finger II9, this nose H8 and finger II9 being alternately engageable with a stationary trip pin I20 mounted on the side of the vessel 20a and extending horizontally outwardly therefrom. This trip .pin I20 does not project laterally outwardly far enough to interfere with the pivotal movements of the hinge block 99 and hinge arm 80, as shown in Fig. 10. To render the trip arm I06 engageable with the trip pin I20 the free end of this arm is offset toward the vessel 20a.

Referring to Figs. 7, 7a and 8, the trip pin I20 is arranged between the nose I I8 and curved finger II9 of the trip arm I05 when the hinge block 99 is in its horizontal position, As the hinge block 99 rotates in a clockwise direction about the axis of the pivot pin the curved finger II9 engages the trip pin I20 and thereby depresses the trip arm I06 relative to the rising front end of the hinge block 99, this depression of the trip arm continuing until the curved finger II9 can pass the trip pin I20. This extremely depressed position is shown in Figs. 9 and 9a wherein it will be seen that the end of the looking pin I03 has been forced into the recess I04 in the hinge arm 80. It will be noted that in this operative position of the locking pin I03, the connecting link I09 and lever I09 have been moved so that the pivot H5 is in line with the pivots III and II6 and hence the trip arm I06 will be held in its depressed position as shown in Fig. 9a. Thus the locking pin I03 holds the hinge arm 80 against displacement relative to the hinge block 99 while the cover 250 is being raised to the overhead position shown in Fig. 9 and also while the door is being lowered from this position. When the cover 25a is being lowered the hinge arms are rotating in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9, and as these hinge arms swing toward a horizontal position, the nose I I8 on the trip arm I06 engages the trip pin I20 and cannot move beyond this trip pin. Continued lowering of the hinge arms 80 causes the trip arm I20 to rotate about its pivot III in a clockwise direction relative to the hinge block 99, thus moving the link I09 in a clockwise direction about its pivot H5 and in turn moving the lever I08 in a clockwise direction about its pivot I I4 thereby withdrawing the lockiarag .pin I03 from the recess I04 in the hinge arm Releasable latch means are preferably provided for holding the cover 2511. in its fully opened overhead position shown in Fig. 9. Such means are shown as including, on each side of the vessel 20a, a latch member I2I pivoted at one end to the rear of the corresponding hinge block 99 as indicated at I I2 and provided at its opposite end with a rectangular slot I23 in the bottom thereof. This slot I23 is adapted to receive a stationary stop bar I 24 which is welded or otherwise suitably rigidly secured to the side of the vessel 20a and which extends laterally outwardly therefrom. The rear end of the latch member I2l is weighted so as to urge this member to assume a pendulant position under its pivot I22. However, the rear end of the hinge block 99 is suitably formed to engage the latch member I2I intermediate its ends and normally support the latch member in a downwardly and rearwardly inclined position as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. In

' slot receives the stop her.

. armature. of the.-so1enoid.l.2.9.

the solenoid I2llis energized. thercar endoi the this :position; the latch. member I22 I1: is held out latch member-ilk on eaohsideaof the vessel 20a is lovered toward its companion stop bar: Iflrand eventually engages thisstop bar. in advancepfsthe slot I23 in thelatchgmember; Asthe-hingeblock 99::continues to :berotated in .a clockwise direction about the pivot pin 85; thelatchmember. I211. is

1 dragged forwardly. cross; the sto bar- I24 until the slot. I23 is over the stop bar. atwhich. time therear end of thelatch member dropsandzthe Thisiengagement of the slot I2-3 andstopbar I211 takeswplace-when the-cover 25ais in an overhead position: above the vesselZIla. as shown inFig. 9, and servesitozhold.

or" latch the cover ZSw-inthisposition andsipre- 4 vent its. further movement.

To-free or unlatch the latch member: IN, alift lever I225: is associated therewith and is adapted to-lift-the latch member I21I So-aS'to disengage the.

slot I23-andstop bar: I24. This lift lever is shown as being L-shapcdand pivoted intermediate its ends alt-I26 on the: side of thevessel-2 a belowxthe stop-bar 126. The upturned-front end of the lift lever-I25 is arranged to move vertically on the The-lift lever I25"is= normally in-the position shown in Figs. 'TandB-with the arm I2B- 'arranged above the companion stop-bar 121k- As thelatch member I2 I is being dragged across the-'stopbar I24 during raising of the cover-25a as previousiy described; the arm I'23- on the lift lever engagediby the bottom" of the latch" member and.

' .pusheddown thereby andwhen the latch member is latched to the stop bar I24 as showxrin Fig.

9, .the front end of'theliftlever I2 I. is in its fully depressed'position shown in this figure. Referring to Ifiig. 9, it will be notedthat .depressing.;the front end of the. liftlever I25 effects a raising of. the. rear end thereof... and. therebyv lifts. the Thereafter when liftlever i25..is pulleddowncailsinei this lever to rotate-ina clockwise direction aboutlits pivot .I2B asiviewed in Fig. 9.-and thereby raise. thearm. I28 on-the front'end of this .leverwhichin turn lifts the latch member [2 I off the stopbar I-24..

In; explaining the operation 1 ofv the. form. of the invention, shown in Figs. '7 through 11, the cover. ZSw-is assumed to be. inits fully closed position: shown in Fig. '7, and with the split locking ring fldexpanded into the lockingq grooveflasin thecollar 24a of the vessellflar Before opening the. cover 25d by movingthe.same-relativetothe vessel 20a. the. cover, is. unlocked. Thisis accomplished by introducing-hydraulic fluid into-line 08a andexhausting fluid through line 65a. This causes thev piston and cylinder mechanism; 640.

to; contract thereby moving; the. opposing free ends: of. the: splitlocking, ring; 5.8a... toward; each other.. In this-manner thee-split.lockingring fiBad 14 is a radially contracted and; withdrawn from; aneasement withxthealoicking groove 5841;.

Thereafter. hydraulic fluid: is introduced: into linecdGm-and hydraulic fluidisexhaust'edthrough line. 48a; of: eaclrpistonzand; cylinderrmechanism 28w. This :m0v.es:;the-.-pistons.. (notshown); within the; cylinders: 4.0a: to-z-thezright, as viewed-1m, Figs.

; andz8; thereby; t03Withd1fl1WJthB: pistontrods-Na into, these; cylinders 4.0.0.. Rearward movement of: the pistonerods .43m rotates; the ,bellcrankilevers 8min aiclockwise direction ahoutztheaaxestofrthe pivot pins 85. By:this-.rotation=of:.the bell crank levers: BL-the hingearms .80; arepushed: forwardly ofizthe vessel; gthesehinge armss8llrolling= vomtheir rollers3 0a. In'this mannentheehinge. arms.=;.are translated;;axially of; the.. vessel; 20w. so. separate ethe'cover. 25mfrom1therc0llar 124a. asrshown in; Fig;..8. As:prm'iouslya' explained, during; the forwardhorizontaLmovement of. the. hinges arms witheciflat' upper: surface I 02; on each..hinge;arm is brought into abutting engagement; with; the flat; bottom. surface; IllIx; of; the; corresponding hinge. block 99;. Also during; this :movement of the hingearmsrBO the. lockin pin recessr Main each. oi; these; arms; is. brought. intov a position opposite the retracted end. ofthe. companion. lockin min: I03.

By continuing to: introduce hydraulic: fluid through lines errand;exhaustinghydraulic :fluid through. lines 48d; the. retraction. of: the 1 piston rods 43a. is continued and the. bell cranklevers t2: are continued. to be-rotated. in a clockwise direction; aboutthe axes; of; theirpivot pins. :as viewed-in thefigures. Sincethe surface I02 .on each hinge arm. 8.041s infirm abutting. contact with the opposing surface IIliI Qnthecorresponding hinge block; 9.9; continuedmlockwisearotation of. the bell. crank lev-ersufll asviewed initherfigures. will cause thehingearmsflfl to swingupweirdly about theirpivot pins:.85.- As. the hinge arms-.80 and their; hinge blocksiilalrotate. in. a clockwise direction about the pivot pinszllli the lockingpins I 03. aarelforcediinto engagementv with their. respective-.recesses. I04; as priwiously explained,-.,wherebyrelative displacement by; the hinge.bloc-ks.-Slil andrespectivahingeearms 80. is prevented.

Hydraulic. fluid is continued to; beintroduced and exhausted-throughlines Micapd 48:1,. respectivelyiyuntil. the. hinge; arms. 80,. are.v in their substantially, verticalposi-ticn shownin, Fig. 9. As previously described; as.;the cover 25a.is..-beinalifted .towarditsfully; openedoverhead-position the latch. members. I2I, dragiacross their respective stop bars I2 luntilthenslots; I23 receive the stop bars I24. When this engagement of the slots I23 in the latch members I21. with the, stop bars. I24. takes. place theintroduction of..hy draulic fluid; into. the... cylinders 400.. through lines 46a can be. terminated.

When it .is. desired. to..close .the cover 25c, the solenoidfla. on eachiside of thexvesselflalis energized whereby.v the liftlevers I25. arerotated abouttheir pivots I26. ina. clockwise direction as. viewedin. the figures. This. pivotal movement ofthe lift. leversv I25icauses-ithe. arms I28 thereon to pushthe latch membersZIZI upwardly and. thereby disengagetheslots. I23, and. stop bars. I24. Thereafter hydraulic. fiuid-.is. introduced to the cylinders. 4012 through lines 4.8a. and hydraulicfiuid is. exhausted. through lines 4.6a. This. causesthe pistonrods 43a to be projected from. their cylinders. 40d and rotates the; bell crank: levers. 82 about their: respectivepivots; .85 imaacounterclockwisedirection-"asiviewed inthe figures. In this manner the hinge arms 80 and hinge blocks 99 are also rotated in a counterclockwise direction and the cover 2511. is lowered to a position opposite the open end of the cylinder 20a. The downward pivotal movement of the hinge arms 80 continues until the roller pads 32a carried by these arms engaged their respective rollers 30a. Toward the end of the descent of the hinge arms 80 and hinge blocks 99 the locking pins I03 are withdrawn from their respective locking pin recesses I04 in the hinge arms 80 as previously described.

Continued counterclockwise rotation of the bell crank levers 82 about the pivot pins.85 causes the surfaces I02 on the hinge arms 80to separate from their respective surfaces lfll on the hinge blocks 99 and translates the hinge arms rearwardly in a horizontal direction whereby the cover 25a is moved from the partially opened position shown in Fig. 8 to the fully closed position shown in Fig. 7.

Thereafter the cover 250. can be locked by introducing hydraulic fluid through line 66a and exhausting hydraulic fluid through .line 68a thereby to extend the double acting piston and cylinder mechanism 64a and thus expand the split locking ring 58a. into the locking groove 59a in the collar Mo on the vessel 2011..

It will be appreciated that with both the form of the invention shown in Figs. 1 through 6, and the modified form shown in Figs. 7 through 11, the hydraulic and electrical means can be automatically controlled to perform their functions in proper timed sequence so that the operation of opening and closing the cover can be auto-,,

matically controlled. Since such automatic control system forms no part of the present invention, the same has not been illustrated in the drawings and for simplicity the respective functions of the hydraulic and electrical means have been treated as being individually and manually controlled.

Further, the means for introducing pressurized heated fluid into the vessel have not been illustrated in the drawings nor described herein, in-

asmuch as such means form no part of the present invention.

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a closure, particularly for large vessels, which can be moved to and from a closed position to and from a fully opened overhead position in which the cover for the opening in the vessel is in an out-of-the-way position permitting unobstructed access to the interior of the vessel through the uncovered opening therein.

I claim:

1. A closure for an opening in one end of an elongated vessel arranged with its axis generally horizontal, comprising a cover adapted to close and uncover said opening, a pair of arms arranged on opposite lateral sides of said vessel and exteriorly thereof and extending longitudinally along said vessel and rigidly connected at their corresponding ends to said cover, means mounting the other ends of said arms on said vessel for movement axially thereof and also for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis extending transversely of said vessel and remote from said opening, roller means arranged to guidingly support said arms intermediate their ends for generally horizontal movement axially of said vessel, and power driven means operatively connected to said arms and being operable first to move said arms axially of said-vessel whereby said cover is moved away from said opening and thereafter to pivot said arms about said transverse axis whereby said arms are lifted oil said roller means and said cover is moved upwardly through an arcuate path to a fully opened overhead position above said vessel, said power driven means also being operable to reverse such movement of said cover thereby to close said opening.

2. A closure for an opening in one end of an elongated vessel, comprising a cover adapted to close and uncover said opening, an arm arranged exteriorly of said vessel and rigidly connected to said cover, means supporting said arm on said vessel for rectilinear movement axially of said vessel a predetermined distance and also for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely of said vessel, and a prime mover operatively connected with said arm and adapted to apply a force to said arm in a direction generally parallel to the direction of movement of said arm but spaced from said axis whereby to uncover said opening said arm is first moved rectilinearly said predetermined distance in a direction to move said cover away from said opening and thereafter said arm is pivoted about said axis thereby to move said cover to a position on one side of said vessel, said prime mover being also operable to reverse such movements of said arm whereby said cover is moved to close said opening.

3. A closure for an opening in one end of an elongated vessel, comprising a cover adapted to close and uncover said opening, an arm arranged exteriorly of said vessel and rigidly connected to said cover, means supporting said arm on said vessel for rectilinear movement axially of said vessel and also for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely of said vessel, said means including a pin and slot connection between said arm and vessel, a lever arm connected to said arm and extending in a direction transversely of the axis of said pin, and a prime mover operatively connected to said lever arm and adapted to apply a force in a direction generally parallel to the direction of rectilinear movement of said first arm whereby to uncover said opening said first arm is first moved rectilinearly in a direction to move said cover away from said opening a distance permitted by said pin and slot connection and thereafter said first arm is pivoted about the axis of said pin thereby to move said cover to a position on one side of said vessel, said prime mover being also operable to reverse such movements of said first arm whereby said cover is moved to close said opening.

4. A closure for an opening in one end of an elongated vessel, comprising a cover adapted to close and uncover said opening, an arm arranged exteriorly of said vessel and rigidly connected to said cover, means supporting said arm on said vessel for rectilinear movement axially of said vessel and also for pivotal movement about an axis extending transversely of said vessel, said means including a pin and slot connection between said arm and vessel, a lever arm connected to said arm and extending in a direction transversely of the axis of said pin, means arranged to prevent relative movement between said pin and slot in a direction longitudinally of said slot during said pivotal movement of said first arm, and a prime mover operatively connected to said lever arm and adapted to apply a. force in a direction generally parallel to the direction of rectilinear movement of said first I7 arm whereby to uncover-said opening said first arm is first lmovedrectilinearlydn--a :direction to move said cover away from said openin a distance permitted by said pin andmslot connection 15. A closure for an -opening in one end of an elongated vessel arranged with =i t s axis generally horizontal, comprising a cover adapted to close and uncover "said opening, "an arm arranged along one lateral side of said vessel on the exterior thereof and rigidly connected at one end to said cover, pin and slot connection means between the other end of said arm and said vessel, roller means arranged intermediate said ends of said arm and operatively interposed between said arm and vessel, said roller means and said pin and slot connection means supporting said arm for rectilinear movement axially of said vessel the distance permitted by said pin and slot connection means, said pin and slot connection means also supporting said arm for pivotal movement about the axis of said pin, a lever arm extending downwardly from said first arm and rigidly connected thereto,, a fluid operated extensible and contractable prime mover pivotally connected at one end to said lever arm and having its other end pivotally connected to said vessel and arranged to exert a force in a direction generally parallel with the direction of said rectilinear movement, and cam and roller means operatively arranged between said arm and vessel to prevent displacement of said pin longitudinally of said slot when said arm is pivoting on said pin, said opening being uncovered by said cover by operating said prime mover to apply a force directed toward said cover thereby first to rectilinearly move said arm axially of said vessel said distance and thereafter to pivot said arm on said pin whereby said cover is raised to an overhead position above said vessel, said opening being closed by operating said prime mover to apply a force in a reverse direction thereby to reverse the movements of said arm.

6. A closure for an opening in one end of an elongated vessel arranged with its axis generally horizontal, comprising a cover adapted to close and uncover said opening, a pair of arms arranged on opposite lateral sides of said vessel on the exterior thereof and extending longitudinally of said vessel and rigidly connected at their corresponding ends to said cover, a pivot pin on each of said sides and extending horizontally outwardly from said vessel and arranged remote from said opening, each of said arms having a horizontal slot receiving the corresponding one of said pivot pins, a guide roller on each of said sides and supporting the corresponding one of said arms in a horizontal position, a stationary cam on said vessel adjacent each of said pivot pins and having an upwardly facing cam surface generally concentric :with said adjacent pivot pin, a roller carried by each of said arms and arranged to engage said cam surface of the corresponding one of said cams when said arms are pivoting about their said pivot pins, a lever arm extending downwardly from each of said first arms and rigidly connected thereto, a fluid operated extensible and contractable prime mover arranged generally horizontally along each side of 'said vessel and apivotally l connected at its opposite ends tosaid vessel and the.corresponding 'one of said lever larmspsaid opening ibeing uncovered by said cOVer' bySoperatingsaid prime movers to apply forces directed toward v said cover is raised-to an overhead position above said vessel, I'saidiopening being closed by operating said prime movers to apply forces in a reverse direction thereby to reverse the movements of said arms.

7. A closure for an opening in one end of an elongated vessel arranged with its axis generally horizontal, comprising a cover adapted to close and uncover said opening, a lever on one side of said vessel and mounted for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis extending transversely of said vessel and having an arm extending generally vertically downwardly from the axis of said pivotal mounting, a generally horizontal hinge arm arranged along the exterior of said vessel and rigidly connected at one end to said cover and having its op-l posite end pivotally connected to the lower end of said lever arm, roller means operatively arranged between said hinge arm and vessel and movably supporting said hinge arm intermediate its said ends in said horizontal position, power driven means operatively connected to said lever and operable to rotate said lever arm about said axis whereby said hinge arm is moved axially of said vessel so as to move said cover away from said opening, and means arranged to prevent relative movement between said lever arm and hinge arm and operative when said hinge arm has moved a predetermined distance in a horizontal direction whereby said hinge arm is lifted off said roller means and rotated about said axis so as to move said cover to an overhead position above said vessel, said power driven means also being operable to reverse the rotation of said lever arm whereby said opening is closed.

8. A closure for an opening in one end of an elongated vessel arranged with its axis generally horizontal, comprising a cover adapted to close and uncover said opening, a bell crank lever on one side of said vessel and mounted for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis extending transversely of said vessel, said bell crank lever having an upper arm and a lower arm extending generally vertically downwardly from the axis of said pivotal mounting, a generally horizontal hinge arm arranged on the exterior of said vessel along a lateral side thereof and rigidly connected at one end to said cover and having its opposite end pivotally connected to the lower end of said lower arm, roller means operatively arranged between said hinge arm and vessel and movably supporting said hinge arm intermediate its said ends in said horizontal position, a prime mover operatively connected to said upper arm and operable to rotate said bell crank lever about said axis whereby said hinge arm is moved axially of said vessel while rolling on said roller means so as to move said cover away from said opening, a hinge block mounted for pivotal movement about said axis and engageable with 19 said hinge arm to prevent further relative movement between said hinge block and hinge arm when the latter has moved a predetermined distance in a horizontal direction whereby said hinge arm is lifted off said roller means and rotated about said axis so as to move said cover to an overhead position above said vessel, and means arranged to lock said hinge block and hinge arm against relative movement when said hinge block and hinge arm are pivoting about said axis, said prime mover also being operable to reverse the rotation of said bell crank lever whereby said opening is closed.

CHARLES A. LONG.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date Rachals Feb. 2, 1915 Faerber et a1. Dec. 5, 1916 Napier June 19, 1917 Hanson Dec. 9, 1919 Brown Mar. 27, 1928 Ruhmann Oct. 22, 1929 Larsen Aug. 8, 1933 Myers Feb. 25, 1936 McKee Nov. 2, 1937 Riordan Feb. 5, 1952 

